View From the Top

02/02/2018 09:37AM
● By Alesha Damerville

Image from Cheryl Foote

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS- Cheryl Foote has an infectious laugh. It’s the kind of laugh you can hear from far away and know, without a doubt, that it’s hers. It’s a laugh that exudes a certain confidence simply because it’s so uninhibited it can only convey a personality too bold to be restrained.

That’s exactly why Foote has always been drawn to sales. “I’ve only worked in commission-based jobs because they fit my personality and drive,” she says. Like many people with an innate talent and a true calling, Foote came into real estate practically by accident. All it took was the slightest nudge from a customer she met when she was a top salesperson at a real estate software business who said, “You should get your license and become a Realtor.” And she did. Twenty years later, she’s Steamboat’s most productive broker in a thriving market with plenty to be happy about. Her philosophy for staying on top is simple; it’s all about quality service and a lot of work. “It’s a good thing I’m not a diehard skier, because even on a powder day I seem to almost always be doing something related to real estate,” she says.

We caught up with Cheryl to find out more about the woman behind all those closings.

Where are you from and what brought you to Steamboat?

I’m from Minnesota originally and went to college at Regis University in Denver, where I met my husband. After my husband finished law school at the University of Oregon, we decided to come to Steamboat for one season. One day on the chairlift, we said, “Can you imagine raising kids in a place like Steamboat?” As the old saying goes, we came for the winter and stayed for the summer. We’ve since raised our three amazing kids here.

What got you into this business? Why did you want to become a Realtor?

I was selling real estate software and a Realtor who came to my office said, “What are you doing just selling software? You should be selling real estate!” I was only 23. That night I said to my husband, “I’m going to get my real estate license,” and I did. I think back now how lucky I was for that person to come into my life at that time and how it all fell into place.

What do you love most about Steamboat?

I love that we live in the enchanted world where my kids can get on their bikes and get to wherever they want to go without spending hours in the car. I also appreciate how welcoming this community continues to be. I recall that from the moment I moved here, how I felt completely at home.

How has the market changed in recent years?

First, the market is climbing out of the hole that it’s been in since 2008, and property values are finally recovering. Second, we see more location neutral people who can work from anywhere, and who choose to move to Steamboat because of our schools and the lifestyle they want for their kids. Finally, we are in somewhat of an inventory crisis. Our volume is up, and there are plenty of buyers, but there aren’t enough properties out there to show them. You are the top listing agent and the most productive agent at the #1 real estate company in Steamboat.

How do you stay on top?

What can I say? I’m driven. You can call, text or email me and I will respond immediately. I have an amazing team of professionals working solely for my clients, and it’s because of them that I’m successful. I invest a lot in marketing and we work to stay on the forefront of trends. I have everything done professionally, whether it’s photography or video or using a drone to fly over a property. The fact is 100 percent of my clients are looking at my properties online, so I better present my listings in the most professional way possible. That’s how I stand out and that’s why my clients hire me.

This article is sponsoredby: Cheryl Foote has been awarded the honor of Steamboat’s Top Producing Real Estate Agent for the last 2 years running. She is a wife and mother of three. Cheryl’s experience in working with buyers and sellers to maximize their Steamboat real estate investments spans over 20 years and has earned her Sotheby’s International Realty top awards.